CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3/24/2025
1 SUBJECT:
Resolution approving the City’s 2024 Annual Progress Report on Implementation of the Housing Element of the General Plan and the 2024 Annual Progress Report on Implementation of Other Elements of the General Plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Move to adopt a Resolution approving the City’s 2024 Annual Progress Report on Implementation of the Housing Element of the General Plan and the 2024 Annual Progress Report on Implementation of Other Elements of the General Plan, and directing the City Manager to transmit the reports to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI).
STAFF CONTACT:
Samantha Updegrave, Community Development Director
(650) 446-4968
[email protected]
Elizabeth Brooks, MPA, Management Analyst II
(650) 738-7341
[email protected]
Sabina Mora, Contract Planner, Good City Company
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
California Government Code Section 65400 (“Section 65400”) requires cities and counties to submit an Annual Progress Report (APR) on the status and progress of implementation of the Housing Element of the General Plan to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), formerly known as the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (“OPR”), by April 1 of each year.
HCD and LCI require jurisdictions to submit the annual APR using a form provided by HCD.
Staff provides data on housing unit production across affordability levels, a listing of development applications received, and provides an update on housing program implementation. Providing a copy of the APR to HCD fulfills a statutory requirement to report certain housing information to the State.
This document does not create or alter policy; it is a reporting document. The following discussion and the attached 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (Exhibit A to the proposed resolution) comply with State law requirements.
The City Council initially adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element (6th Cycle RHNA) on January 22, 2024. On March 24, 2025, the City Council is considering a revised 2023-2031 Pacifica City Council 2
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Housing Element which incorporates revisions required to address comments received from HCD. The City posted the revised Housing Element on its website on February 6, 2025, and emailed a link to all individuals and organizations that previously requested notices relating to Housing Element adoption and has met the seven-day public review requirement.
The 2024 APR describes planning activities that were in process during the 2024 calendar year and will contribute to meeting requirements during the 6th Housing Element Cycle (2023 - 2031).
1. Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR)
The Housing Element APR updates HCD on each jurisdiction’s progress in meeting their share of Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) goals as determined by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). The City’s RHNA 6 allocation for the planning period 2023-2031 is 1,892 housing units. This is an increase of 1,479 units or a 358 percent increase, compared to the RHNA 5 allocation. The 2024 APR measures housing production during calendar year 2024 that will be counted towards the Sixth Cycle (2023-2031) RHNA Projection Period. The Projection Period is the timeframe for which the RHNA is calculated and RHNA progress is measured. The Sixth Cycle (2023-2031) Projection Period began on June 30, 2023, and ends on December 31, 2031.
The Draft 2024 APR (Exhibit A to the proposed resolution) describes the City’s accomplishments for calendar year 2024 that contribute toward meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and Housing Element program objectives. Staff has prepared the Calendar Year 2024 APR in the format prescribed by HCD1. This is the second APR associated with the 2023-2031 Housing Element. The 2024 APR prepared by staff demonstrates the number of housing units for which the City granted planning entitlements (i.e., discretionary approvals), building permits, and certificates of occupancy during the 2024 calendar year.
The Housing Element APR requirements are established by legislation and continue to expand.
In addition to historic requirements to track overall housing unit production and affordability, local jurisdictions are now obligated to include detailed information such as project addresses, permit numbers, dates of completed application submittals, entitlements issued, building permits issued, and building permits finalized between January 1 and December 31 of a given year.
Affordability levels, housing tenure (ownership and rentals), and streamlining applications are also recorded.
The APR is a routine item required by state law to report on housing-related activities in the prior calendar year and is not a policy document guiding housing-related actions to be undertaken by the City. The APR must be considered by the Council at a public meeting where members of the public have an opportunity to provide comments. Members of the public may comment on the APR during public comment as part of consideration of the item. Acceptance of the APR is a routine matter.
1 Staff notes that readability of the Housing Element APR can be challenging. However, the City is required by law to use the prescribed reporting form.
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Staff reports the following observations as compared to the 2023 APR reviewed by Council in terms of housing unit production:
• In 2024, housing unit production, measured by building permits, remained relatively stable at 20 units, a slight decrease from 2023's 24 units. Similarly, 43 Certificates of Occupancy (C/Os) were issued, slightly below the previous year's 48. • In 2024, 40 of the 43 C/Os issued were for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), representing 93 percent of C/Os. ADUs comprised 71 percent of the C/Os that were issued in 2023: 44 units. These ADUs are units categorized as 'SFD - ADU Existing Area,' 'SFD - ADU Detached,' and 'SFD - ADU Attached.'
• The City received applications for 27 ADUs in 2024. Of these, all were approved ministerially. The City issued 16 building permits and 40 C/Os for ADUs in 2024. • The City continues to process applications under the state law known as Senate Bill 9, or SB 9. SB 9 allows for ministerial approval (i.e., no discretionary review) of two residential unit projects and/or urban lot splits of existing lots for projects that meet the qualifying criteria in the law. Five SB 9 applications have been submitted, one of which was approved in 2024. These applications consist of an urban lot split only (4 applications) and combined two residential unit and urban lot split (1 application). • Two housing units were entitled in 2024 through the processing of residential development applications, a figure consistent with typical years, though lower than 2023's unusually high number due to a project with a single large entitlement. The City of Pacifica does not have an entitlement process for ADUs which are processed ministerially.
• In 2024, the City received applications for 397 housing units, a substantial increase from 64 in 2023. This increase is largely due to the following two applications: Pacifica Gateway on Coast Highway, south of Reina del Mar Avenue (APNs 018-140-690, & 018- 140-700) for 225 units, and Sea Cove at 4625 Coast Highway for 117 units.
The APR also highlights other accomplishments and milestones achieved throughout the 2024 reporting period.
2024 Housing Element Program Implementation:
• Initiated regulatory framework development for RHNA sites (Housing Element Program HE-I-1), including 11 actions addressed in a published Draft EIR; Final EIR expected May 2025.
• Advanced ADU development (HE-I-4) and as a result increased ADU production through support of ADU Resource Center, including the upcoming launch of an online plans gallery, supporting the ADU Accelerator Program, enhancing the ADU OneStop shop, and developing pre-approved 'building permit ready' ADU plans. • Advanced infrastructure capacity improvements (HE-I-13) by including Vallemar/Rockaway projects in 5-Year CIP (design started 2024, construction estimated to start in 2026) and awarding bid for Sharp Park Pedestrian Improvement Project (construction estimated to start in 2025).
Future Focus: Key Housing Element Implementation Projects • Implement a clean-up ordinance to ensure compliance with state and local laws (HE-I- Pacifica City Council 4
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14).
• Undertake a citywide zoning code modernization to remove barriers to housing development and align with the 2040 General Plan (HE-I-2). • Commission a study to revise the Below Market Rate program to increase the production of deeper affordable housing (HE-I-6).
1. Other General Plan Elements
The General Plan APR updates the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) on each jurisdiction’s progress implementing their General Plan. Staff has also conducted a review of the City’s General Plan and prepared a report outlining notable items related to implementation on elements other than the Housing Element (Exhibit B to the proposed resolution). This is the third annual report on the 2040 General Plan which was adopted by the City Council in July 2022 to comprehensively update the General Plan (except the Housing Element).
A few highlights from the report are provided below:
Economic Sustainability Element
ES-I-16: “Shop Pacifica” Campaign. Create a “Shop Pacifica” campaign to support local businesses and decrease retail sales leakage.
City economic development staff continues to implement the “Shop Pacifica” campaign that includes local gift cards used for purchases at participating businesses located within the City of Pacifica. The City economic development staff expanded the “Shop Pacifica” e-gift program to nearly 60 participating businesses, with more than 3,700 e-gift cards distributed (including the City investment in bonus cards valued at $25,000.) This program injected an additional $139,000 into the local economy, benefitting a diverse range of local businesses. With marketing costs at just $1,867, the program's success is measured at 133,798% ROI. Shop Pacifica’s impact on the local economy's reflected by ongoing merchant registrations and a multitude shopping options for consumers, contributing to the vibrancy of Pacifica's businesses and injecting local dollars back into the community.
Land Use Element
LU-I-1: Zoning Consistency. Update the Zoning Ordinance and zoning map and apply zoning to all land within the City, consistent with General Plan and LCLUP policies and land use designations.
In December 2024, staff released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Targeted General Plan Amendments, Rezoning, and Objective Design Standards Program, thus starting the work of updating the Zoning Ordinance for consistency with the General Plan and adopted Housing Element.
Circulation Element
CU-I-31: Neighborhood Bikeways. Develop a system of bikeways connecting all neighborhoods to the City’s north-south pathway consistent with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The Esplanade and Palmetto Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project was approved by Planning Commission and City Council in 2024 and will install new and improve existing Class 2 and Class 3 bike lanes along Palmetto Avenue, West Avalon Drive, and Esplanade Avenue. The project will also enhance pedestrian safety by installing quick-build painted bulbout safety zones at pedestrian crossings, curb ramps, high visibility crosswalks, and rectangular rapid flashing Pacifica City Council 5
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beacons at several intersections.
Open Space and Community Facilities Element
OC-I-4 Emphasize Park Maintenance and Improvements. Enhance existing parks to improve the quality and usability of Pacifica’s park land, and make improvements such that park facilities are equitably distributed throughout Pacifica.
Parks, Beaches, and Recreation staff continue to implement the playground equipment replacement project. In 2024, they replaced the infield at Sanchez Park, modernized and replaced the backstops at Fairway Park Baseball Fields. In addition, Parks, Beaches, and Recreation staff continue to work with a consultant to prepare construction drawings for another playground initiative, known as Priority Parks, where 4 playgrounds will receive an extensive complete facility renovation.
OC-I-58: Civic Center. Continue to study the feasibility of developing a new City Hall or Civic Center to provide adequate space for long-term needs and enhance the City’s image.
The City completed construction on a substantial renovation to the Civic Center at Santa Maria Avenue and Francisco Boulevard. The project added a new elevator tower to enhance ADA access, restored the exterior to wood siding that matches its original design, and remodeled the interior floorplan of the City Hall building. The project also substantially renovated the interior and exterior of the Community Development and Engineering Building. City staff moved back into the buildings in July 2024.
Conservation Element
CO-I-54: Climate Action Plan for Greenhouse Gas Reductions. Maintain and update the Climate Action Plan that focuses on feasible actions the City can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from government, businesses, and residents in Pacifica.
In May 2023, the City Council established the Climate Action and Adaptation Task Force through Resolution No. 50-2023. The Task Force was created to develop and draft for Council adoption an update to the City’s Climate Action Plan, now titled the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP).
Since its inception, the CAAP Task Force has met monthly as a public body and has worked extensively in subcommittees. Members have also participated in key regional and state-level climate action groups, including San Mateo County’s Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS), the CA Climate and Energy Collaborative’s Local Energy Resources Network (LERN), and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA. The Task Force has conducted widespread community engagement efforts, including community-wide surveys, targeted focus groups, and interactive public outreach at local events. The planning process involved residents, community groups, City staff, Task Force members, and consultants.
The Task Force is drafting the CAAP that outlines strategies for reducing emissions in three broad areas: energy, water, and solid waste; transportation and land use; and food and consumption. It provides key actions necessary for Pacifica to achieve its climate goals, addressing both municipal operations and ways residents, organizations, and businesses can contribute to emission reductions. The final version of the plan is expected to be prepared for formal adoption by the City Council in late spring 2025.
CO-I-71: Inclusive Engagement. Expand notification efforts for major policy documents and projects within Pacifica’s Coastal Zone to unrepresented communities outside of Pacifica.
Planning staff conducted 9 public meetings in 2024 to engage the community on the City’s Local Pacifica City Council 6
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Coastal Land Use Plan (LCLUP). These public meetings ranged from an all-day, in-person community question and answer study session (March 2, 2024), to numerous public hearings with the City Council to revise policy language proposed by community members and agencies such as the North Coast County Water District and the California Coastal Commission. Through the City’s extensive community engagement and outreach, the City Council reached a majority agreement on October 28, 2024, and adopted a revised LCLUP that addresses many community members concerns raised over the course of the year. The City’s adopted LCLUP is currently pending California Coastal Commission’s certification and is expected to go to a hearing in spring 2025.
Also see CO-I-54 above for additional discussion of community engagement.
Safety Element
SA-I-99: Multi-Jurisdictional Approach. Participate in State or regional efforts to develop a clear legislative and regulatory framework to manage the wildland-urban interface, including implementation of the MJ-LHMP.
In 2024, nine jurisdictions in San Mateo County formed the Safety Element Collaborative (“Collaborative”) to coordinate updates to their safety elements. Through a competitive RFP process facilitated by San Mateo County, PlaceWorks was selected as the consultant, and Community Planning Collaborative served as the project manager from the Collaborative’s formation through the RFP process and will continue in that role through project completion.
The project team completed a vulnerability assessment and hazard mapping, which included developing a geodatabase of hazard data and mapping, a GIS database of community assets, lists of sensitive populations and critical assets, GIS layers of evacuation constraints analysis results, a vulnerability assessment summary, and an online map viewer. The project remains on track for completion in spring 2025.
2. Next Steps
The City Council should consider whether to accept and approve the APR as prepared by staff and recommend submittal to HCD and OPR to meet statutory requirements.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):
This action is not a project as defined in Section 15378(b)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines as approval of the reports is a reporting requirement and will have no direct or indirect impacts on the environment; therefore, no California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review is required.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The recommended action to adopt a Resolution approving the City’s 2024 Annual Progress Reports is consistent with state law; therefore, no alternative action is identified.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
The adoption of the Resolution approving the City’s 2024 Annual Progress Reports is consistent with State law and is consistent with the following item(s) in the Council-adopted Strategic Plan and Priority Work Plan for FY 2023-2030:
• Goal 1: Enhance organizational and fiscal stability.
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o Strategy C: Prioritize implementation of the Economic Opportunities Study. • Goal 2: Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, and facilities • Goal 3: Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing. o Strategy A: Complete the Housing Element Update.
o Strategy C: Prioritize Housing Element program implementation. • Goal 4: Pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation. o Strategy A: Update the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, including performance measures.
o Strategy C: Update Pacifica’s Local Coastal Land Use Plan and improve communications and collaboration with the California Coastal Commission. • Goal 5: Broaden public communications and collaboration. o Strategy A: Creatively and appropriately leverage community expertise and volunteers to advance City priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact. This is an information item only. However, timely filing of the Housing Element APR is important to retain eligibility for Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) funding under the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) and Priority Development Area (PDA) grant programs for regional housing technical assistance. The City has two PDAs, the Sharp Park Specific Plan PDA and the Skyline Corridor PDA.
ORIGINATED BY:
Community Development Department
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Exhibit A 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR) (PDF) Exhibit B 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report (PDF) Pacifica City Council 8
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA APPROVING THE CITY’S 2024 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN AND 2024 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE GENERAL PLAN; AND DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSMIT THE REPORTS TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF
LAND USE AND CLIMATE INNOVATION
WHEREAS, California Government Code section 65400(a) requires that planning agencies prepare annual reports on the status of the General Plan progress and its implementation, including an annual report on progress in meeting the City’s share of regional housing needs and local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Government Code section 65583; and
WHEREAS, the housing element portion of the annual report must be prepared using the standards, forms, and definitions adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and must be filed with the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), formerly the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and HCD annually by April 1st of each year; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the annual reports required by Government Code section 65400(a) at a public meeting before the where members of the public were allowed to provide oral testimony and written comments; and WHEREAS, the City has made significant progress in implementing the policies contained in the City’s General Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pacifica as follows:
A. The above recitals are true and correct and material to this Resolution.
B. This action is not a project as defined in Section 15378(b) (2) of the CEQA Guidelines as this is a reporting requirement and will have no direct or indirect impacts on the environment; therefore, no California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review is required.
C. The City Council hereby approves the City’s 2024 Annual Progress Report regarding implementation of the Housing Element of the General Plan, attached hereto and hereinafter incorporated as Exhibit A, and the 2024 Annual Progress Report regarding implementation of the other Elements of the General Plan, attached hereto and incorporated as Exhibit B.
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D. The City Manager is hereby directed to transmit the two Annual Reports to the HCD and the LCI, in forms provided by the Community Development Director and reviewed by the City Attorney.
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 24th day of March 2025, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney Pacifica City Council 10 March 24, 2025
EXHIBIT A.
2024 HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Pacifica City Council 11 March 24, 2025
EXHIBIT B.
2024 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT